Gender Differences in Depressive Symptoms in U.S. Chinese Older Adults

Background: This study aims to explore gender differences in depressive symptoms in U.S. Chinese older adults. Methods: Data were from the PINE study, a population-based study of U.S. Chinese older adults aged 60 years and above. The PHQ-9 was used to measure depressive symptoms. Results: Depressive symptoms were more prevalent in U.S. Chinese older women (59.2%) than in older men (48.5%). Older women were more likely to present somatic depressive symptoms and to develop moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Older age (r = 0.09, P < 0.001), lower income (r = 0.07, P < 0.01), poorer health status (r = 0.34, P < 0.001), inferior quality of life (r = 0.17, P < 0.001) and worsening health changes over the past year (r = 0.23, P < 0.001) were positively correlated with any depressive symptom in older women. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the need for developing tailored interventions for depressive symptoms in the subgroup of U.S. Chinese older adults. Further longitudinal studies should be conducted to better understand gender differences in risk factors and outcomes associated with depressive symptoms in U.S. Chinese older adults.